Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Time To Start Talking About Sasquatch 2011

Is it too early to talk about Sasquatch 2011? Considering the Cure were announced as a 2008 headliner near Halloween of 2007, and Pavement was announced last year on November 7th, it's not too early. Here is what we know about the Sasquatch 2011 Music Festival.

Dates: While the dates are yet to be confirmed, you can bet it will be May 28th through the 30th, Memorial Day weekend (as usual). This will be the tenth anniversary, so it's unlikely they will reduce the festival to two days.

Tickets: Tickets went on sale last year with the Pavement announcement in early November, the first year tickets went on sale this early. They usually go on sale the weekend after the lineup is revealed, in February. The past few years, there have been three price levels, so it behooves you to buy early. Last year's festival sold out in record time, and unless they do away with headliners and cool bands all together, it will sell out early again.

Lineup: The lineup is usually announced the day after President's Day (President's Day being February 21st, 2011). This is the latest President's day will be for the next several years, so I wouldn't be surprised if they announce the lineup the week prior (it was the 15th last year).

Tenth Anniversary: It's no secret next year with be the tenth edition of the Sasquatch! Music Festival. In an interview with Consequence of Sound earlier this year, Adam Zacks said they have a couple surprises in store for this year's festival. What type of surprises might you ask? Radiohead or Pearl Jam headlining? A fourth day? A fifth stage/tent?

Speaking of Radiohead, we've also been discussing Guerrilla Candy's (Travis Hay) interview with Adams Zacks for a couple years now, the one where Zacks stated Bjork (who played in 2007) and Radiohead are basically his White Whales. Those who attended last year's festival can attest, the newly enclosed main stage reduces the amazing scenery we've grown to enjoy. Was it created to enhance the crowd's experience? No way. It was created to protect Neko Case from hail, to protect Spoon and Interpol from the wind, and to increase the likelihood bands with expensive light shows will consider attending. In no way does this mean Radiohead is rumored. It's more like the scene in Dumb and Dumber when Jim Carrey says, "so you're telling me there's a chance."

As for the Pearl Jam possibility, we will know more when Soundgarden eventually announces their reunion tour. They share the same drummer (Matt Cameron), so Soundgarden playing elsewhere in late May will suffocate that inclusion.

Big Name Possibilities: It's a bit early to be reading into tour schedules, so this rumor isn't holding buckets of water, but it still holds a couple pints. Interpol have been touring extensively, yet have skipped the Northwest all together? They are still touring through March, so adding a Seattle show will kill this rumor. It's Seattle or Sasquatch though, it makes zero sense skipping both. (EDIT: January Seattle show added).

The festival always caters to bands with NW ties. Getting at least two of the following local powerhouses seems like a safe bet; Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, the Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, and Spoon.

More Info:

All rumors and confirmations will be easy to find located at the top of this blog. Keep checking here for Sasquatch news, commentary, updates, and reviews. Check out the The Cog for poorly written reviews about possible Sasquatch bands. If you have any questions about the festival, the friendly people on the Sasquatch Message Board will be more than willing to assist. Let the Sasquatch 2011 discussions begin!

I wouldn't say Pearl Jam and Soundgarden are a "big possibility." It's more like a pipe dream.

I wouldn't be surprised if Soundgarden headlined though. There were discussions involving Soundgarden playing last year's festival, but it didn't work out. They could have decided, "too soon, we just got back together, Pearl Jam is still touring, let's shoot for next year."

I think Lykke Li will be there. She's announced a concert at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver as well so I'm guessing before she plays seattle she'll play Sasquatch. Mumford and Sons did something similar last year and so did Edward Sharpe. Safe bets are if they're playing in Vancouver around those dates, they'll be hitting up the fest.

I am thinking Nero should play the tent this year. The addition of small sideshow night electro acts killed last year. Example Simian Mobile Disco & A-Trak. Every loves the big bands, but the electro tent presents a welcome intermittent relief to all who just want to rage/gig hard. NERO would be sickkk.

My source, my brother's girlfriend used to date a guy who knows the guy who used to play bass in Janes Addiction, who said Perry Ferrell thinks Sasquatch is in Seattle, but introduced me to his publicist who tells me all the juicy info about Sasquatch, because his tennis buddy knows Bill Gates, who knows Adam Zacks, who knows lineup.